Sporting Lisbon star joins agency that represents Van Dijk, fueling Liverpool speculation

An agency with many Liverpool players as clients now represents Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande, linked to Liverpool.

Liverpool-linked Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande changed his agents recently and his new agency already represents many Reds players. The 20-year-old defender established himself as the first-team regular for Sporting CP last season, helping them win the Liga Portugal title.

Standing at 1.90 metres, the Ivory Coast international is an imposing figure in the three-man defensive formation of Sporting CP. Diomande has the strength, speed and stamina to hold his own in both aerial and ground duels for his team.

The 20-year-old is mature beyond his age, using good positioning and game-reading over his physical superiority while making well-timed tackles. On the possession, just like his defensive teammates Goncalo Inacio and Eduardo Quaresma, Diomande is good at passing and distribution.

The 20-year-old plays a key role in Sporting CP’s tactics that rely on building up attack from the backline. Diomande made 38 appearances for Sporting CP in all competitions, contributing three goals and providing an assist during last season.

According to the Portuguese outlet Record (via Liverpool Echo), Diomande changed his agent and ROOF represents the defender now. The German-based sports agency also represents Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Billy Koumetio.

In case Liverpool wants to act upon their last season’s interest in Diomande, the familiar agency could ease the negotiation. The Reds want a central defender to bolster their defensive department after Joel Matip left as a free agent.

Currently, Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah in their ranks to play as centre-backs. However, Konate has suffered from a nagging injury while Quansah is still developing his raw talent and needs game-time supervision.

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Another young central defender could provide competition for the Reds and eventually succeed the ageing Van Dijk in the first team. Diomande fits the profile that Liverpool desires in a central defender and the new development with agent change could help the Reds.